A $250,000 debt put the playhouse’s 2010 season in doubt earlier this spring. But Marafino said the board of directors has hired an executive director — a new position at the theater — to help address their financial concerns.

“If we can get our community behind this and have a series of fundraisers that are affordable, that will help out,” she said.

The new executive director is named Kevin Vaughn. Marafino said he was hired April 1.

“He’s got a multi-layered plan to get the theater out of its crisis. It’s been very busy here,” she added.

According to Marafino, the playhouse is off to a good start. Friday’s fundraiser attracted 110 guests and generated more than $2,200 in revenue.

Marafino added that response to season ticket renewal letters have also been encouraging. Of the 600 requests mailed two weeks ago, she said, a few hundred have already confirmed renewal.